Display support apparatus for wireless operation in inclined or supine position

ABSTRACT

A device for holding an LCD monitor and user input devices in an inverted position for operation while an operator thereof is in a supine position is provided which comprises at least an attachment for a reclinable display system, an attachment for one or more wireless user input devices, power connectors, a stand for bearing the panel above a surface suitable for a supine operator.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally related to the field of display stands, and more particularly to an apparatus for adjustably supporting display and user input devices for operation in a supine or inclined position.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

People confined to a bed such as a hospital or sick bed have a need to use computers in a supine or inclined position. U.S. Pat. No. 2,193,647, was issued for a bed frame-mounted tray that may hold a book or magazine in an inverted position so that a bedridden person could read while lying in bed. Not only was this invention connected to the bed of the person using the tray, it did not provide for the attachment of a computer of any kind in any useful fashion.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,848,710, is directed to a device for supporting a computer so that one may use the computer while lying on a bed. This device is on casters on top of the bed so that the entire device must be surrounding the person using the device and requires a considerable amount of work to situate. It does not allow the computer supported thereon to be inverted.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,630,566 was issued for a portable ergonomic workstation that articulates to a user's position. Although a disabled person confined to a bed is contemplated by the inventor of that invention, the patented invention does not allow for the utilization of a computer support apparatus.

U.S. Pat Application No. 20050263666 describes a device for holding a portable computer for operation in a supine position. This system does not fit a personal computer with monitor, user input devices and a PC unit.

U.S. Pat Application No. 20040233631 introduces a universal portable computer stand and high speed connectivity center. This patent does not address a personal computer with monitor, user input devices and a PC unit.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,796,536 introduces a computer support apparatus and method, but fails to address personal computers with independent PC unit, monitor, keyboard and mouse.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,918,841 describes a computer keyboard and flat panel display cart. This patent does not allow to remotely monitor a personal computer.

What is needed, is a system for supportably mounting a computer monitor and input devices, so that the user can remotely operate a computer while in a supine position.

Thus there is a need for a more convenient, effective, tamper proof method and apparatus for remotely operating a personal computer in a supine or inclined position.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION

A unitary apparatus comprising: a mounting for attaching a computer LCD monitor, a stand and panel for holding the monitor above a surface suitable for a supine operator, a video connector for connecting said monitor to said stand, an integrated power connector for powering said LCD monitor.

A unitary apparatus comprising: a mounting for holding a display device, a mounting for holding a digital video player, a stand and stand for holding the LCD monitor and a digital video player above a surface suitable for a supine operator, an embedded connector for connecting said digital video player to said display device, an embedded power connector for powering said digital video player.

A unitary apparatus comprising: An embedded film display, a mounting for holding user input devices, a stand for holding the display and user input devices panel above a surface suitable for a supine operator, a power connector for powering said display.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention with be more clearly understood after reference to the following detailed specifications read in conjunction with the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a schematic illustrating an LCD display support apparatus

FIG. 2 is a schematic illustrating a thin film display support apparatus

FIG. 3 is a schematic illustrating an alternative thin film display support apparatus

FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating an alternative thin film display support apparatus

Similar reference numerals are used in different figures to denote similar components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 1, a display support apparatus 14 comprises mountings 20 for attaching LCD monitor 24 and stand and support legs 12 for supporting the LCD monitor and holding it in a surface suitable for a supine operate. The surface suitable for a supine operator 10 is either horizontal facing down or slightly inclined and facing down.

Display support apparatus 14 also comprises a wireless transceiver 18 for streaming video signals between the LCD monitor and a personal computer in its vicinity. Transceiver 18 can be Bluetooth, Wifi or Zigbee transceiver.

Display support apparatus 14 comprises at least two integrated connectors 16 including a video connector and a power connector for plugging the LCD monitor video cord and the LCD monitor power cord.

Connector 16 may also comprise USB to transceiver adapter modules (Bluetooth, Wifi or Zigbee). The transceiver adapter modules are used to connect input devices such as USB mouse, USB track ball, USB keyboard, USB display wirelessly to a remote personal computer.

Power cord 22 allows connecting the display support apparatus 14 to a power jack.

In an alternative embodiment, support apparatus 14 comprises a rechargeable battery.

In another alternative embodiment, support stand 14 comprises a surface for holding user input devices such as keyboard device, mouse and/or track ball.

In another alternative embodiment, support stand 14 comprises a metallic surface for holding user input devices fitted with magnets such as keyboard, mouse and/or track ball.

In another alternative embodiment, support stand 14 comprises magnets for holding user input devices fitted with metallic surfaces such as keyboard, mouse and/or track ball.

In another alternative embodiment, support stand 14 comprises connectors 16 for mounting a digital video player and for connecting it to the display device as well as to the power supply.

In another embodiment, display support stand 14 comprises a thin film display such as e-ink or polymer light emitting diode (PLED).

E-ink is a material that is processed into a film for integration into electronic displays. It contains millions of tiny capsules, about the diameter of a human hair. Each microcapsule contains positively charged white particles and negatively charged black particles suspended in a clear fluid. When a negative electric field is applied, the white particles move to the top of the microcapsule where they become visible to the user. This makes the surface appear white at that spot. At the same time, an opposite electric field pulls the black particles to the bottom of the microcapsules where they are hidden. By reversing this process, the black particles appear to the top of the capsule, which now makes the surface appear dark at that spot.

Current devices using E Ink® Imaging Film have rigid backplane electronics, however, the Imaging Film itself is plastic and can be flexed and rolled, combining the complete look and feel of a paper document. E-Ink is commercialized by E Ink Corporation.

PLED is another think film technology developed by Cambridge Display Technology (CDT). It uses a polymer sandwiched between a pair of electrodes to generate to emit their own light. It permits the creation of ultra-thin plastic lighting displays that operate at low voltages.

FIG. 2 illustrates a thin film display support system. Thin film 240 is mounted on panel 140 and held into position suitable for a supine operator 10 by support legs 120. Thin film 240 can be flexible plastic film. Panel 140 can also be a flexible panel.

Wireless transceiver 180 allows to stream video to/from a wireless computer in the vicinity.

Connectors 160 may be used to connect USB keyboard/mouse/track ball so that they can communicate with the wireless computer through transceiver 180.

Power cord 220 may be used to recharge rechargeable battery 260.

FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a thin film support system.

Thin film 240 is mounted on panel 140 and held into position suitable for a supine operator 10 by support legs 120. Thin film 240 can be flexible plastic film. Panel 140 can also be a flexible panel.

In an alternative embodiment, thin film 240 is replaced with an LCD monitor.

FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment for a thin film support system.

Thin film 240 is mounted on panel 140 and held into position suitable for a supine operator 10 by support legs 120.

Thin film 240 can be a flexible plastic film. Panel 140 can also be a flexible panel.

In an alternative embodiment, thin film 240 is replaced with an LCD monitor.

Numerous other modifications, variations, and adaptations may be made to the particular embodiment of the invention described above without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the claims. Hence, while exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been set forth above, it is to be understood that the pioneer inventions disclosed herein may be constructed or used otherwise than as specifically described. 

1. A unitary apparatus comprising: a mounting for attaching a computer LCD monitor, a stand and panel for holding the monitor above a surface suitable for a supine operator, a video connector for connecting said monitor to said stand, an integrated power connector for powering said LCD monitor.
 2. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a mounting for holding user input devices.
 3. The apparatus of claim 2 whereby said mounting for holding user input devices comprises a magnetized surface.
 4. The apparatus of claim 2 whereby said mounting for holding a monitor rotates to an inverted position.
 5. The apparatus of claim 2 whereby said monitor is a film display embedded in said panel.
 6. The apparatus of claim 5 whereby said film display is selected from the set comprised of e-ink, PLED.
 7. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a wireless transceiver for wirelessly streaming video input from said video connector to a computer in the vicinity.
 8. The apparatus of claim 1 whereby said video connector comprises a transceiver selected from the set comprising Bluetooth, Wifi and Zigbee transceivers.
 9. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising at least one USB connector, whereby said USB connector is connected to a transceiver selected from the set comprising Bluetooth, Wifi and Zigbee transceivers.
 10. The apparatus of claim 1 comprising a rechargeable battery and whereby said power connector is connected to said rechargeable battery.
 11. A unitary apparatus comprising: a mounting for holding a display device, a mounting for holding a digital video player, a stand and stand for holding the LCD monitor and a digital video player above a surface suitable for a supine operator, an embedded connector for connecting said digital video player to said display device, an embedded power connector for powering said digital video player.
 12. The apparatus of claim 11 whereby said display is a film display embedded in said panel.
 13. The apparatus of claim 12 whereby said film display is selected from the set comprised of e-ink, PLED, touch sensitive screen.
 14. A unitary apparatus comprising: An embedded film display, a mounting for holding user input devices, a stand for holding the display and user input devices panel above a surface suitable for a supine operator, a power connector for powering said display.
 15. The apparatus of claim 14 whereby said film display is selected from the set comprised of e-ink, PLED.
 16. The apparatus of claim 14 whereby said film display is a plastic flexible film.
 17. The apparatus of claim 14 comprising a wireless transceiver for wirelessly streaming video input from said video connector to a computer in the vicinity.
 18. The apparatus of claim 14 comprising a sound system.
 19. The apparatus of claim 14 whereby said wireless transceiver streams sound input from said sound system to a computer in the vicinity. 